A Game of Hearts: A February Indulgence

Indulgences #3

by Tigris Eden

Dumped by her boyfriend of three years just a few days before their anniversary and planned trip to an island paradise, a place where fantasies come true—a resort called Indulgences--Zoraida Lemes is forced to do a little soul searching, and what she discovers is not what she expected. Especially when her best friend from childhood, Mateo Vargas, expresses an interest in being more than just friends.

Now everything is up in the air. Including her friendship with Mateo.

One almost steamy night sets the two on a journey that Zoraida may or may not be ready for, but Mateo hopes she is as the two indulge their fantasy with a game of hearts.

Unknown Binding

Published January 4, 2017

About the author

BIO
USA Today Bestselling Author, Tigris Eden loves reading and writing.
One of Tigris’ fondest memories, was in the sixth grade, when her teacher read her story, “The Case of The Missing Pepperoni”, out loud to the class. It was then she decided she wanted to be a writer when she grew up. But like all childhood dreams, reality has a way of crashing in and disrupting plans. But her imagination and the voices inside her head never stopped talking. Every dream she could remember was jotted down in her dream journals.


When she’s not writing Tigris marvel’s at life’s gifts. She likes to take pictures of beautiful things. She openly admits that what she may find beautiful another person might not, and she’s perfectly okay with that. She enjoys her music and doesn’t leave home without it. Long pillow conversations with LL about nonsensical things, and hanging out with her boys, when they deem her “cool enough.”


Tigris is a military brat who’s done her fair share of travelling, thanks to her Army father. She’s married to the infamous LL and has three boys. She currently resides in Houston and is actively seeking a book-buddy for the end of the world.

You can find Tigris on Twitter, Facebook, and at her website.

Reviews

[ButtonsMom2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and sexy story.

A Game of Hearts is the first book I've read by Tigris Eden and I liked it a lot. Best friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes. Mateo and Zoraida have been best friends for ages and at one time Zori wanted more but Mateo didn't. She moved on but started putting more importance on material things instead of listening to her heart.

Indulgences reminded me of the old TV show, Fantasy Island. Zori didn't get exactly the fantasy she thought she was getting but she got exactly what she needed. This was a quick and fun story.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this friends to lovers story. The "Fantasy Island" part was really cute. This story highlights there is a time for everything and that love should not be rushed. I loved the history that the main couple had but when it turned, the determination was very strong to capture the other's heart. A cute read.

[Bree · Rating 3 out of 5]

After being dumped by her boyfriend of three years for not being good enough for him, Zoraida finds herself going on her preplanned anniversary trip with her male best friend, Mateo. The FMC in this book is super shallow and thinks she will only be happy if she finds a man that is going to be able to provide for her and while she admits to being shallow, she's super rude to her best friend as he tries to communicate that he wants her. I will add that his communicating was not the best, but she gets stuck on how he didn't want her when they were in high school and insists that he isn't what she wants anymore and then she gets super jealous when faced by two women who do see him as what they want in a partner.

[CarolKat · Rating 5 out of 5]

What does a girl do when her boyfriend breaks it off just a few days before her surprise anniversary trip. Why she asks her bestfriend to go with her instead, of course. Paige however has other ideas when she turns down Zori.
Zori isn't sure about this trip with Mateo. She doesn't want to lose her bestfriend because they have sex.
Mateo wants more and suddenly her fantasy changes, from a week-long fling to a contest to see who is the best fit for Mateo.
Oh what a tangled web. The change from friends to lovers is not an easy one. However it's more than just that for Zori. She needs to decide what she really wants and needs. Obviously what she thought she wanted really wasn't, since that relationship failed big time. Will she be able to give her heart completely to Mateo and be happy about it.
I loved the twist in this one. It was perfect for Zori to think things through. Just like we all have to do sometimes.

[T. CH · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the game of hearts!

This is the friends to lovers romance of Matty and Zori. It all comes together at the Indulgences resort on Aragon Island. While reluctantly playing the game of hearts, Zori is forced to confront some truths about herself and her feelings for her best friend. While Matty does everything he in his power to show Zori a sliver into the future they would share. It was quite the enjoyable journey yet at the end I believe all fantasies come true on Aragon Island.

[Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read about a shallow heroine who needs a wake up call to see what is right in front of her. I liked the patience that Mateo showed. This fit with the other books in the Indulgence series that I have read so far. I like the different scenarios that the resort owners come up with to give their clients what they need rather than what they want. Nice rainy day read, but I don't think I would read it again, at least not anytime soon.

[PelicanFreak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is HOT! 🔥It’s good too though, it’s got a plot. Strong characters, some you’ll root for, some you’ll love to hate, some will make you reach for the skank-off … a tropical paradise with a ‘The Bachelor’ type atmosphere that keeps things interesting. Super fun, fast, HOT read.

Cannot comment on the production since I read an ARC.
But strongly recommend checking this out.

4 stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an unexpectedly quick fun read. Zori and Mateo have known each other a long time and were friend zoned for the longest time. I loved the secretive fantasy style island and the story's development felt like a real relationship.

[Katy Beth Mckee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zori is so set on what she thinks she needs. Matteo is tired of waiting. A reservation with no refund puts things into motion. I love the way things were arranged on the island for people to realize what they really wanted and need. This is a short read but a lot of fun. #CMCon26

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read

I'm in love with these Island love stories. They are better than Fantasy Island ever was. First book I've read by this author and I really enjoyed it.

[Larcie Fitzmorris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, hot and very entertaining!

I really love the story finding what was right in front of you getting the blinders removed is definitely one way to find a happy ending

[Season · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beginning didn't for with rest of story. Otherwise it was a quick somewhat entertaining read.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I managed to get about 3/4 of the way through it but just couldn't manage to finish it.

[Barbie Pomales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a good book . I m upset at my self that I didn't pick it up earlier. Zori and Matt have a chemistry thats off charts. I m making my list to see what other books I can pick up from Tiger.

[Sharrice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tigris Eden is one of my all-time favorite authors. I love how she always has diverse characters and stories. I never feel like she’s recycling character types or stories in any way.

Zoraida or Zori has been with the same man for the last three-years and right before their three-year anniversary he dumps her by saying she’s not good enough for him. Now she has tickets to an amazing island where she was hoping her boyfriend would purpose to her and no one to go with. One night when she’s hanging out with her best friend Mateo he expresses that he wants to be her lover, her everything and so they go on the vacation together. Zori never thought Mateo and her would work out after being in the friend zone for so long by Mateo isn’t giving up until he has her.

I must say I was a tad disappointed in this story. The writing and characters were good but it felt rushed. I felt like it would have been better as a full-length novel not focused on sex. I do get how Mateo and Zori didn’t need to spend time getting to know each other since they’ve been friends for so many years but it still felt rushed. I would have liked more of Mateo’s POV and less of Zori’s. I’m honestly not sure what fell flat for me, but this story really did. I liked it enough but it just wasn’t…Idk.

If you want a cute short read with sexy times, it’s a good book. I think if you’re looking for amazing characters this isn’t necessarily the book for you. I think both characters could have been, but the book didn’t have enough time to do so.

[Barrie Mac · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zori and Mateo have been best friends since they were kids. Everyone thought they'd end up married and so did Zori, until Mateo turned her down in highschool. So Zori moved on and remained Mateo's best friend. Her boyfriend of three years breaks up with her so she goes on the indulgence vacation she'd purchased for them. Not wanting to go alone, she takes Mateo. Mateo is now ready to love Zori forever and now this is his chance. When she refuses his advances for fear of ruining their friendship, he creates a fantasy for them. Suddenly Zori who wants nothing to do with Mateo, wants him as soon she realizes other women want him. It was hard to believe the relationship between Mateo and Zori...I just couldn't get into it.

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

[Vondetta Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great sexy read..Zori was having men troubles. Her beau of three years dumps her and announces his engagement to another all in a week. She had planned the trip of a lifetime hoping for a proposal. She has to see the jerk at work because she works in the office with him. Horrible!!!
However, she has a sexy BFF that she has had a crush on since High School. He too, has a crush on her but she seems obivilous.
She takes her BFF on the trip to her paradise vacation. Mateo(her BFF) has a fantasy of his own and sets the wheels in motion for it to happen.
Read this novella to see how sexiness turns in passion of the hottest kind.
Can these two make both their forever dreams come true?
Great read..hope to hear more about Zori and Mateo in another book...

[Jessica Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute story on how two people who seem so close can be so far apart.

Zori always wanted the life of the well off married life. The house, car, kids and the white picket fence. But with her current predicament she's not going to have any of it. And a pair of non-refundable tickets to a island and a best friend that wishes she would open her eyes and see him in a different light. That she has always been his and he has been hers.

[Barbara Lack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little read!

Marty and Zori are best friends who have loved each other forever, Zori just doesn't realize. She goes to Indulgence Resort looking for someone to marry and Matty is by her side intent to show her he has been there all along. This is a fast little read that was very entertaining.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely enjoyed this novella, the setting was just right, the main characters loveable and quirky, the fantasy they enacted very well chosen and their relationship exciting and captivating, I was rooting for them from the start and love how it all played out. More please!

[somanybooks2read · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot twists! What? Great job! Fast, fun read. My first book by Tigris Eden and I will definitely be reading more!